Brest-Minsk-Novogrudok-Grodno
DURATION: 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS



DAY 1
Arrive in Brest, German-speaking guide meets the group in Brest on the border. Cheek-in at the hotel "Intourist". Lunch.

Half-day city tour of Brest-Western Gates of Belarus - includes visit to Brest Fortress, the first stronghold of the Soviet Army during World War II, to an archeological museum "Berestye", slavic settlement of ancient Brest. Belarussian national dinner.

DAY 2
Trip to Belavezhskaya Pushcha (Belavezhskaya Forest Reserve). The animal world of Belavezhskaya Pushcha is surprising, poetic and fantastic. It is a house for about 300 species of animals and birds. The king of Belavezhskaya Pushcha is the legendary Aurochs or European bison. Belavezhskaya Pushcha is one of very few places in the world where these ancient animals live. Today there are over 400 bisons in Pushcha. You can see them in open-air cages.

Lunch in Belavezhskaya Pushcha. After lunch departure to Minsk, Capital City of Belarus (350 km from Brest). Arrive in Minsk. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner.

DAY 3
Half-day city-tour of Minsk including architectural, historical and cultural monuments of 17th-18th centuries, Troitskoye Predmestye (Trinity Suburb) - restored buildings of the 19th century, modern centre of the city, the local Arts Museum.

Tour to Raubichi Folk Arts and Crafts Museum (22 km from Minsk). Displayed in the former Krestogorskaya Church are folk costumes, fine fabrics, articles made of straw, pottery, weaving, wood-carving, icon painting or to the open-air Museum of Belarisian country architecture and life. The display includes 120 buildings, hundreds of articles of domectic use, agricultural implements used by the peasants, works of applied art.

Shopping. Folklore concert "Presentation of Belarus".

DAY 4
Tour to the Khatyn Memorial (60 km from Minsk). Built on the site of the village of Khatyn - one of 186 Belarusian villages burnt to ashes by the Nazis during World War II.

After lunch visit to the village of Tarasovo in the Ratomka settlement where the German prisoners of war are buried. Theatre of Opera and Ballet.

DAY 5
Full-day trip to the collective farm (Minsk province, 100 km from Minsk). It includes view of the collective farm, private houses, visit to the kindergarten, lunch in Belarusian national style, concert of children's folklore ensemble.
Gala dinner in the hotel restaurant or outside the city.

DAY 6
Departure to Novogrudok (150 km). On the way visit of Mir Castle, 15th-16th century monument. Visit of A.Mitskevich museum in Novogrudok, places of interest of the town: ruins of the 11th century castle; a catholic cathedral of the early 15th century, Svityaz lake.

Lunch in Novogrudok. Departure to Grodno (160 km). Check-in at a hotel in Grodno.

DAY 7
Visiting places of interest in Grodno including walking tour of the old Grodno, Kalozh Church (11th century) Old Castle (11th century). Visit of a Moslem centre, a Catholic Cathedral of the early 15th century, an Orthodox Church or a Synagogue (the choice of the clients).

Meeting the clergy and the believers.

DAY 8
After breakfast departure home.